The song, one of Harrison's best-known Beatles contributions alongside "Something", originated from a songwriting collaboration between Harrison and close friend Eric Clapton called "Badge," recorded by Clapton's group Cream, and featuring an arpeggiated guitar riff that is similar to the one that forms the bridge of "Here Comes the Sun". 1969 was a difficult year for Harrison: he was arrested for marijuana possession, he had his tonsils removed, and he had temporarily quit the band. The song was written while Harrison was away from all of these troubles.
Harrison stated in The Beatles Anthology:
“ "Here Comes the Sun" was written at the time when Apple was getting like school, where we had to go and be businessmen: 'Sign this' and 'sign that'. Anyway, it seems as if winter in England goes on forever, by the time spring comes you really deserve it. So one day I decided I was going to sag off Apple and I went over to Eric Clapton's house. The relief of not having to go see all those dopey accountants was wonderful, and I walked around the garden with one of Eric's acoustic guitars and wrote "Here Comes The Sun".
Harrison sang lead vocals and played acoustic guitar and Moog synthesizer. Paul McCartney sang backing vocals and played bass guitar. Ringo Starr played drums, with all three Beatles providing handclaps. John Lennon did not contribute to the song as he was recovering from a recent car crash (he was also absent from George Harrison's "Long, Long, Long"). Unnamed musicians played violas, cellos, double bass, piccolos, flutes, alto flutes, and clarinets.
Harrison capoed his guitar on the 7th fret, resulting the final key of A major. He also used the same technique on his 1965 song "If I Needed Someone," which shares a similar melodic pattern.
Harrison, McCartney and Starr recorded the rhythm track in 13 takes on 7 July 1969. Towards the end of the session Harrison spent an hour re-recording his acoustic guitar part. The following day he taped his lead vocals, and he and McCartney recorded their backing vocals twice to give a fuller sound.
A harmonium and handclaps were added on 16 July. Harrison's guitar solo was overdubbed on 6 August, and the orchestral parts were added on 15 August. Here Comes The Sun was completed four days later with the addition of Harrison's Moog part.
This song was originally proposed by Carl Sagan to be part of the Voyager Golden Record sent to space in 1977. While the Beatles agreed with this, Sagan was unable to form a definite agreement with Apple Records prior to the spacecraft's launch date.
Here Comes The Sun
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, doo, dun, doo, doo
It's all right
Little darling, the smile's returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, doo, dun, doo, doo
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Here comes the sun, doo, dun, doo, doo
Here comes the sun
It's all right
It's all right
The song 'Here Comes the Sun' by The Beatles is a beautiful tribute to spring after a long, dark winter. It's a song about hope and renewal, and it speaks to the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is always the promise of a new day. The lyrics begin with the repetition of "Here comes the sun," which is a metaphor for the arrival of a much-needed change. The singer acknowledges the hard times they've been through, saying "Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter." But with the arrival of the sun, he feels more optimistic, as "Little darling, the smile's returning to the faces." The repetition of the title line at the beginning and end of the song lets us know that the focus of the piece is the sun overcoming darkness and reminding us that life is full of beauty and possibility.
Throughout the song, The Beatles use evocative language and imagery to express the feelings of hope that come with the arrival of spring. For example, in the line "Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting," the "ice" symbolizes the cold and darkness of winter, while its slow melting represents the gradual thawing and warming of the Earth. This line is particularly poignant because it suggests that the process of renewal takes time and can be difficult, but it is ultimately rewarding. Additionally, the repeated use of the phrase "It's all right" reinforces the idea that everything will be okay in the end, no matter what trials we might face.
Overall, 'Here Comes the Sun' is a moving and uplifting song that captures the essence of spring and the hope it brings for new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the sun, doo, dun, doo, doo
The sun is rising and bringing new warmth and light to the world.
Here comes the sun, and I say
The singer is happy and optimistic about the arrival of the sun.
It's all right
The singer reassures themselves and others that everything will be okay now that the sun is out.
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
The artist acknowledges that winter was difficult and isolating for them and others.
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
The artist emphasizes how long it has felt since they last saw the sun, and how much they missed it.
Little darling, the smile's returning to the faces
The singer notices that people are starting to feel happy and hopeful again with the presence of the sun.
Here comes the sun, doo, dun, doo, doo
The sun's arrival is repeated, emphasizing its significance and joy.
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
The sun is once again celebrated for its life-giving properties.
Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
The artist senses a thawing of the emotional and physical coldness brought on by winter, and sees hope for the future.
It's all right
The artist reiterates their message of optimism and reassurance with the continued presence of the sun.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blackmesasweetvoice
i have a yearly tradition where i listen to this on the first day of spring ^.*^ can’t wait for next year 🌱🌷
@Anthony-cy4jb
'Here Comes the Sun' (Beatles) ... A song of hope
@audeciesielski2995
❤
@trapjaw86
Thought it was called there goes the moon by the pigeons
@morgan97475
This keeps me from putting an extra hole in my head. Good stuff.
@Beefwe2286
Same
@henryplitt6803
Hope you’re doing my friend
@banik20080
It'll be alright mate.
@therandomdj124
real, i hope your alright mate 🤝
@melc.5644
Everything’s gonna be alright! Keep strong, mate!